§ 17.44.050. Commercial and industrial districts.

Within these districts as defined the following standards shall apply:

A.

Maximum Sign Area. The aggregate areas of all signs except exempt, convenience and special event signs, including signage for all activities within such site, shall not exceed one and one-half square feet of the sign area per lineal foot of lot frontage on the right-of-way. All activities with street frontage shall be allowed thirty-five square feet of signage, regardless of amount of street frontage. Sign area may be used only to address the right-of-way on which credit is calculated. In no case may any signage exceed three hundred square feet, regardless of street frontage.

B.

Ground Signs.

1.

Site Requirements.

a.

A ground sign greater than fifteen square feet in area may only be displayed on a continuous street frontage of one hundred fifty feet or more in commercial districts.

b.

No ground sign may be placed within one hundred fifty feet of another ground sign on the same site.

c.

Sites in industrial districts must have minimum continuous street frontage of two hundred feet.

2.

Height and Area Limitations. The maximum height shall be twenty feet, and the maximum area shall be seventy-five square feet, except as provided in paragraph a of subdivision 1 of this subsection and as follows:

a.

Within three hundred feet of a freeway, the maximum height shall be thirty-five feet and the maximum area shall be three hundred twenty-five square feet; provided that the approved height may be extended up to one hundred feet if a use permit is granted to the applicant with adequate findings that the additional height is necessary for the business being advertised to be brought to the attention of the motorists on the interstate highway.

b.

Within one hundred fifty feet of Highway 273, the maximum height shall be thirty feet and the maximum area shall be one hundred thirty-three square feet.

c.

Motorists shall be allowed sufficient advance notice for safe freeway exit. Unobstructed vision from a distance of one thousand three hundred twenty feet from the freeway exit ramp shall be considered the minimum standard providing sufficient advance notice.

3.

Placement of Ground Signs. Ground signs shall be placed in a landscaped planter equal in area to twice the area of one sign face in commercial areas and shall not obstruct other legal, conforming signs within one hundred fifty feet. Ground signs must clear driveways and parking areas by sixteen feet and sidewalks by eight feet.

C.

Above-Roof Signs. Above-roof signs (signs attached to the roof, any part of which extends above the ridge line) are prohibited.

D.

Roof Signs.

1.

A roof sign may be used in lieu of a wall sign. Each building is authorized one such roof sign per building front which abuts a public street or parking area and to which the activity has direct access. Roof signs may occupy an area equal to what is allowable for a wall sign or forty percent of the signable wall area selected. Signs must be rigidly mounted with no guy wires or exposed braces and may not extend higher than the ridge line.

2.

Only single-faced roof signs shall be allowed. Signs may not be perpendicular to the street being addressed.

E.

Wall or Window Signs.

1.

Each activity is authorized two wall or window signs, per building front which abuts a public street or parking area and to which the activity has direct access.

2.

An activity without frontage on a public street or parking area but with access via a driveway or private sidewalk shall be permitted on wall sign with a maximum of fifteen square feet in area.

3.

Maximum permitted coverage of wall or window signs shall be forty percent of the signable area of the wall mounted on.

F.

Canopy Signs.

1.

One canopy sign may be used for each activity.

2.

The maximum area of sign shall not exceed fifteen square feet.

3.

The maximum letter height shall be twelve inches.

4.

Minimum ground clearance shall be eight feet.

5.

Placement may be perpendicular to the building.

G.

Projecting Signs. A projecting sign may be used in lieu of a ground sign and may not project within two feet of the edge of the pavement. All projecting signs must clear finished grade by eight feet.

1.

A projecting sign shall not be placed within one hundred fifty feet of another projecting sign on the same site.

2.

A projecting sign greater than fifteen square feet in area may only be displayed on a lot having a continuous street frontage of one hundred fifty feet or more.

3.

No projecting sign may be placed in a location that will obstruct other legal, conforming signs within one hundred fifty feet.

4.

The maximum height shall be twenty feet or the height of the wall supporting the sign, whichever is greater.

5.

The maximum area shall be twenty-five square feet.

H.

Combination of Signs. Unless separated by one hundred fifty feet or more, the combinations of signs set out in Table 17.44.050 are allowed on a site.

I.

Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area and twelve feet in height. Such signs shall be removed within fourteen days after the close of escrow.

J.

Residential Use. Signs for residential uses in commercial or industrial zones shall be as prescribed in Section 17.44.080.

(Ord. 556 § 1, 1989; Ord. 515 § 1 Exh. A (part), 1987)